Royal Swedish Academy of SciencesIn 1739, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Kungl. Vetenskapsakademien) was founded. Inspired by the Royal Society of London and l'Académie Royale des Sciences in Paris, it was created as an independent and non-governmental scientific society, with the overall objective of promoting the sciences. Founding members included the world-famous naturalist Carl Linnaeus. In its early years, it took a great interest in encouraging the uses of scientific discoveries in society, as for example in agriculture, ship building and mining. At the beginning of the 19th century, its Permanent Secretary was the distinguished chemist, Jons Berzelius. It is now known for its annual role in awarding the Nobel Prizes established in the will of inventor Alfred Nobel.« |
